To say 2016 was a banner year for high school football, is an understatement. A record four area teams made it to Orlando and two brought home state titles.
Trinity Christian won its fourth state title in a row and University Christian won its second in a row (9th overall), while Bolles finished as state runner-up again.
But it was blue collar lunch pail team from Ponte Vedra that shocked many by winning 14 in a row before stumbling in the Class 5A state title game.
Lee brought alumni back and had the whole city supporting its run to the state semi-finals and sent a message to everyone too, “WERE BACK”.
These are just some of the stories of the past football season along with the stories comes great players too.
Here is the inaugural Duval Sports All-Area football team.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB – Gavin Screws (So., Baldwin)
Stats: 117 of 223 for 1,859 yards, 19 TD
QB – Joseph Brunell (Sr., Episcopal)
Stats: 106 of 177 for 1,657 yards, 20 TD, 3 INT, 82 carries for 277 yards, 10 TD
RB – Charles Strong (Jr., Union County)
Stats: 209 carries for 1,279 yards, 18 TD
RB – Rasheed Martin (Sr., Trinity)
Stats: 183 carries for 1,439 yards, 15 TD
RB – Jacquez Pelham (Jr., Fort White)
Stats: 168 carries for 1183 yards, 17 TD, 59 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 18 total TD
WR – Carlton Hankerson (Sr., Union)
Stats: 24 catches for 531 yards, 7 TD, 22.1 YPC, 1184 A.P. yards, 12 TD
WR – Shannon Showers (Sr., Fort White)
Stats: 24 catches for 433 yards, 7 TD, 627 AP yards, 53 tackles, 3 INT, 7 pass breakups, 1 caused fumble
WR – George Webb (Jr., Raines)
Stats: 24 catches for 573 yards, 23.9 YPC, 6 TD
OL – Howard Allen (So., Baldwin)
Stats: 24 pancakes and also key blocker for Miller huge season
OL – Andrew Peterson (Sr., Union)
Stats: Best offensive lineman who sprung Strong
OL – Alex Wilcox (Sr., University Christian)
Stats: Twin towers that paved way for Otis Anderson big year
OL – Andrew Wilcox (Sr., University Christian)
Stats: Twin towers that paved way for Otis Anderson big year
OL – John Michael Manning (So., Union County)
Stats: Tackle who coach says he has a bright future ahead of him
ATH – Gavin Marts (Jr., Harvest)
Stats: 136 carries for 1149 yards, 8.4 ypc, 10 TD, 56 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions
ATH- Zion Barter (Jr., Bradford)
Stats: 61 carries for 690 yards/8 TD, 23 of 43 for 392 yards/2 TD, 2 of 6 FG, 35 long
K: Anderson Tucker (So., Christ’s Church)
Stats: 22 of 26 PAT, 2 for 2 FG, 35 long
